The Quality Standards Resource Centre helps extend understanding of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, which take effect from 1 November 2025. The Resource Centre will be updated to reflect key changes made to the draft strengthened Standards. You can search for resources by using keywords, or filtering by standard, outcome, audience and theme. Before using the Resource Centre, please read the terms of use.
Summer clinical alert: Caring for older people in hot weather
This resource provides a summer clinical alert for aged care providers, focusing on safeguarding older people during extreme heat. It includes guidance on identifying vulnerable people, creating action plans, monitoring hydration, and recognising heat-related illnesses. It helps providers prepare for heatwaves and protect those in care.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Star ratings
This resource explains the star rating system for residential aged care homes, which helps people make informed care decisions. It outlines ratings based on compliance, quality measures, residents’ experiences, and staffing minutes. Providers are evaluated on their performance, with ratings updated daily to reflect changes in compliance.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Incident Management Systems
This resource explains Incident Management Systems (IMS) used in aged care to record, manage, and respond to incidents. It provides guidance on building a safety culture, recording and analysing incidents, and implementing steps to prevent reoccurrences, supporting continuous improvement in care delivery.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)
This resource outlines the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS), which helps reduce abuse and neglect of older people in aged care services. It mandates that Commonwealth-subsidised aged care providers implement systems to manage and prevent serious incidents. Providers must report incidents such as abuse, neglect, and unlawful contact, ensuring older people’s safety and wellbeing. This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Short Term Restorative Care Program
This resource outlines the Short Term Restorative Care (STRC) Program which offers early interventions aimed at reversing or slowing functional decline in older people to enhance their wellbeing. It provides care for up to 8 weeks in home or residential settings, helping people regain independence. STRC is part of a broader care system, alongside other aged care services.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Shield yourself from shingles
This resource provides information on the shingles vaccine, which is free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over. It explains the risks of shingles, vaccination locations, and potential side effects. The document encourages older adults to discuss vaccination with their healthcare professional to protect against shingles.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Set up access to My Aged Care
This resource provides guidance for aged care assessors and service providers on accessing and using the My Aged Care portals. It outlines steps for setting up secure access through authentication methods, managing organisation information, and creating staff accounts, supporting efficient service delivery and assessment processes.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Independence and conflict of interest
This resource outlines the principles for managing independence and conflicts of interest in aged care provider governance. It includes guidance on maintaining impartiality, identifying potential conflicts, and implementing conflict-of-interest policies. It helps providers ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of people receiving care.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Serious incidents
This resource provides information on how aged care providers should respond to serious incidents, ensuring the safety, health, and wellbeing of people in care. It outlines mandatory reporting requirements for incidents such as abuse, neglect, or financial coercion under the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS), aiming to promote transparency and accountability in aged care settings. This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
The Serious Incident Response Scheme
This resource provides an introduction to the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS), outlining its role in managing and reporting serious incidents in aged care. It includes guidance on incident management systems, the responsibilities of managers and workers, and reporting requirements for residential and home services.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Sepsis Clinical Care Standard
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care's Sepsis Clinical Care Standard 2022 outlines 7 quality statements to ensure early recognition and best-practice care for sepsis, reducing risks of death and complications. It includes indicators for monitoring care and ensuring timely treatment. Applicable to multiple settings, including aged care, it supports high-quality sepsis management and improved outcomes.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Infection Prevention in the Home
This resource provides guidance on infection prevention in home care settings, highlighting challenges such as the unpredictability of home environments and lack of basic hygiene resources. It explains how to apply standard and transmission-based precautions, manage infection hazards, and involve clients in maintaining infection control practices to ensure safety.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Rural health workforce
This resource provides an overview of the rural health workforce in Australia, including policies and programs designed to encourage health professionals to train and practise in rural and remote areas. It highlights strategies for improving healthcare access and quality in these regions, supporting both professionals and communities. This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Screening requirements for the aged care workforce
This resource provides information about screening requirements for the aged care workforce. It contains information about screening checks, types of screening and screening requirements. It also includes links to relevant resources for more information.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Introducing tasty, nutritious, and safe meals in aged care - Themed Innovator Training Program
This resource provides guidance on implementing safe, nutritious, and appealing meals in aged care. It emphasises informed choice, accommodating dietary needs, and preventing malnutrition. It highlights the importance of culturally appropriate meal planning, supporting residents' autonomy, and ensuring that nutritious food enhances social interaction, mental health, and overall quality of life.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection
This resource provides information about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common and highly contagious respiratory virus. It explains symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention, highlighting that RSV can be serious for infants and older adults with chronic conditions. It also details how RSV cases are monitored through national surveillance systems.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Reprocessing of reusable medical devices
This resource provides guidance on implementing updated standards for reprocessing reusable medical devices in health and non-health facilities. It supports compliance with AS 5369:2023, ensuring healthcare organisations follow national and international standards for safe equipment reprocessing to minimise infection risks and promote patient safety.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
An Introduction to Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
This resource explains Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), which are essential tasks that people must perform to care for themselves. It covers basic ADLs like mobility, dressing, and feeding, as well as instrumental ADLs such as managing finances and medication. The document highlights the clinical importance of assessing and supporting ADLs in aged care.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Risk Assessment and Management in the Home
This resource provides guidance on risk assessment and management in home care settings under the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. It explains how to identify and assess risks, implement control measures, and review safety protocols to minimise hazards and ensure the safety of older people and care workers in home environments.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Respecting the privacy and dignity of clients
This resource provides guidance about respecting the privacy and dignity of clients. It includes information about personal privacy, the Privacy Act, what classifies as health information, consent and privacy of information. It also includes information about person-centred care and client dignity.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.